Michael Jordan's close friend was punched by his security guard for making controversial Kobe Bryant comment

Michael Jordan's close friend has recalled being punched by his security guard for making a controversial comment about Kobe Bryant.

At the peak of his powers, Jordan was the biggest name in NBA and transcended the sport, becoming a global icon.

Jordan rolled deep whenever he would make a public outing and had Charles Oakley, his personal security guard, by his side in most appearances off the court.

One of them trips took place at the Kentucky Derby, where Oakley showed off his hands when Jordan's pal, John Salley, compared Bryant to 'MJ'.

Salley made a light-hearted joke about Bryant being better than the Chicago Bulls legend at 27 and was met with a punch in the stomach from Oakley.

On The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Salley said: "Off to the right is Charles Oakley, who, if you don't know, is Michael's security guard forever and didn't like me. So, I look at Michael, and I said, wait, at 27 years old - whatever, 27 - I put my hand on Michael's shoulder, and I go, 'At 27 years old, young boy would have given you the business'.

"And out of the blue, Charles Oakley comes and punches me in the stomach."

John Salley and Michael Jordan pose in the jockey club at the Kentucky Derby. Image: Getty

Jordan defended Salley's comment as, according to the man himself, Oakley always wanted to hit him.

Four-time NBA champion Salley added: "He hit me the way he wanted to hit Dolan. Not the way he was pushing the security guard. He unleashed on me, Dan. And I saw it at the last second and tightened up a little bit. He knocked all the air out of me. And Michael is like, 'No, come on Charles. You know Sal is crazy. He's just joking. He's just joking'. He's like, 'I don't like when he talks that stuff to you'. He's been wanting to hit me since the 80s. But, man, he hit me with everything he could."

It's never been disclosed publicly but there has been some tension between Salley and Jordan since their playing days.

Salley was part of a Detroit Piston side which was widely disliked during their championship run so that hatred likely filtered down to Jordan and other players around the league.